Box for carrying substrates

ABSTRACT

A box for carrying substrates that includes a box body having an upper opening, walls and a bottom, the walls and the bottom defining therein a substrate-receiving space, and a box cover having sidewalls and a covering section so as to cover and close the upper opening of the box body. The box cover is made of a transparent material which allows the substrate-receiving space inside the box body to be seen. The substrates which are used for displays can be carried and kept in the box.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority from Korean Patent Application Number 10-2013-0060040 filed on May 28, 2013, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein for all purposes by this reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a box for carrying substrates, and more particularly, to a box for carrying substrates in which substrates which are used for displays can be carried and kept.

2. Description of Related Art

In general, glass substrates which are used for flat panel displays, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display panel (PDP) and an electroluminescent display (ELD), are carried and kept in the state in which they are received in a box. In particular, a plurality of glass substrates which are received in the box are supported in the erected position such that they do not contact each other.

The box for carrying glass substrates (also referred to as a “glass substrate-carrying box”) includes a cuboid box body having an upper opening and a box cover which covers the upper portion of the box body. A plurality of protrusions and a plurality of substrate insertion grooves are alternately formed on and in the inner surfaces of a pair of walls of the box body which face each other, such that the protrusions and grooves extend in the height direction. In this fashion, the substrate insertion grooves are formed by the protrusions which protrude from the inner surfaces of the walls of the box body. Each of the glass substrates which are received in the box body is inserted into a pair of glass insertion grooves which face each other and pressed by two pairs of protrusions, such that it stays in the state in which it is received and held inside the box body.

However, even though the glass substrates are carried using the glass substrate-carrying box, defects frequently occur due to reasons that are unclear during actual carriage of the glass substrates. For example, some glass substrates received inside the glass substrate-carrying box are broken or overlapped on each other.

In order to minimize the occurrence of such defects, it is desperately required that an examination of the reasons and a mechanism for the occurrence of defects be performed.

A technique about the glass substrate-carrying box is disclosed in Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2011-0124913 (Nov. 18, 2011).

The information disclosed in the Background of the Invention section is provided only for better understanding of the background of the invention, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that this information forms a prior art that would already be known to a person skilled in the art.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Various aspects of the present invention provide a box for carrying substrates with which reasons for defects that occur during carriage of the substrates can be examined.

In an aspect of the present invention, provided is a box for carrying substrates that includes: a box body having an upper opening, walls and a bottom, the walls and the bottom defining therein a substrate-receiving space; and a box cover having sidewalls and a covering section so as to cover and close the upper opening of the box body. The box cover is made of a transparent material which allows the substrate-receiving space inside the box body to be seen.

In another aspect of the present invention, provided is a box for carrying substrates that includes: a box body having an upper opening, walls and a bottom, the walls and the bottom defining therein a substrate-receiving space; a box cover having sidewalls and a covering section so as to cover and close the upper opening of the box body; and a first transparent window formed in the covering section of the box cover. The first transparent window allows the substrate-receiving space inside the box body to be seen.

The methods and apparatuses of the present invention have other features and advantages which will be apparent from, or are set forth in greater detail in the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein, and in the following Detailed Description of the Invention, which together serve to explain certain principles of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a box for carrying substrates according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a box for carrying substrates according to a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a graph showing measurements of Vicker hardness depending on the material and thickness of first transparent windows;

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing the inside of the box cover of the box for carrying substrates according to the second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the support pad of the box for carrying substrates according to the second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing the box cover of the box for carrying substrates according to the second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B show the box cover of the box for carrying substrates according to the second embodiment of the invention and a box cover of the related art;

FIG. 8 is a graph comparing variations in the humidity with time of boxes for carrying substrates which include the box covers shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B;

FIG. 9 is a graph comparing variations in the temperature with time of boxes for carrying substrates which include the box covers shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B; and

FIG. 10 is a graph showing measurements of static electricity according to positions of the box covers shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to a box for carrying substrates of the present invention, embodiments of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described below, so that a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention relates can easily put the present invention into practice.

Throughout this document, reference should be made to the drawings, in which the same reference numerals and signs are used throughout the different drawings to designate the same or similar components. In the following description of the present invention, detailed descriptions of known functions and components incorporated herein will be omitted when they may make the subject matter of the present invention unclear.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a box for carrying substrates according to a first embodiment of the invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the box for carrying substrates according to the first embodiment of the invention includes a box body 110 and a box cover 120.

The box body 110 receives a plurality of substrates and protects the substrates from the external environment and external impacts. The box body 110 is configured as a case which has an upper opening, walls 112 and a bottom 114, the walls 112 and the bottom 114 defining therein a substrate-receiving space. Preferably, the box body 110 is made into the shape of a cuboid. The box body 110 can be made of a polypropylene material.

A plurality of insertion grooves (not shown) into and by which the received substrates are inserted and held is formed in a pair of opposing inner surfaces of the walls 112 of the box body 110. (Here, the opposing inner surfaces face each other.) Specifically, the substrate insertion grooves (not shown) are formed in the opposing inner surfaces of the walls 112, such that they extend in the height direction. The substrates can be firmly supported or held when they are inserted into the substrate insertion grooves (not shown).

Here, the substrates received in the box body 110 can be glass substrates which are used for flat panel displays, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display panel (PDP) and an electroluminescent display (ELD). The substrates will be received inside the box body 110 in the state in which they are vertically erected and aligned at regular distances.

The box cover 120 has sidewalls 122 and a covering section 124 so as to cover and close the upper opening of the box body 110, and is made of a transparent material through which the substrate-receiving space inside the box body 110 can be seen.

Since the box cover 120 is made of a transparent material like this, it is possible to observe the state of the substrates which are received and arranged in the box body 110 when box cover 120 is placed over the box body 110. Accordingly, when the substrates received in the box for carrying substrates according to this embodiment of the invention become defective, such as when, for example, the substrates have been broken or become overlapped on each other due to any reason during the actual practice of being carried, it is possible to examine reasons or a mechanism for defects.

It is preferred that the box cover 120 be made of an acrylic material and have a thickness of 1.5 mm.

In addition, the box for carrying substrates according to the first embodiment of the invention can also include a support pad (not shown) which is coupled to the inner surface of the covering section 124 of the box cover. The support pad (not shown) has a plurality of support grooves into and by which the substrates received in the box body 110 are inserted and held. That is, it is possible to carry the substrates more safely by inserting the substrates into the support grooves of the support pad (not shown) coupled to the inner surface of the covering section 124 of the box cover such that the substrates are held by the support grooves.

Preferably, the cross-section of the support grooves formed in the support pad (not shown) has the shape of an upside-down “Y” Since the cross-section of the support grooves of the support pad (not shown) has the shape of upside-down “Y,” the substrates can be easily inserted into the support grooves.

In addition, the box for carrying substrates according to the first embodiment of the invention can also include support slots (not shown) which are coupled to a pair of opposing inner surfaces of the sidewalls 122 of the box cover 120. Each of the support slots (not shown) has a plurality of support grooves which supports the substrates received in the box body 110. Since the substrates are inserted into and held by the support grooves of the support slots (not shown) which are configured as above, it is possible to carry the substrates by holding them more firmly.

When the plurality of insertion grooves (not shown) which hold the substrates inserted thereinto are formed in a pair of opposing inner surface of the walls 112 of the box body 110, each of the support grooves formed in the support slots (not shown) is formed collinear with a corresponding one of the substrate insertion grooves (not shown) formed in the walls 112 of the box body 110.

The shape of the support pad and the support slots illustrated with reference to the first embodiment will be identical to a support pad and support slots which will be illustrated with reference to a following second embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a box for carrying substrates according to the second embodiment of the invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the box for carrying substrates according to the second embodiment of the invention includes a box body 210 and a box cover 220.

A description of the box body 210 will be omitted, since it is identical with the box body 110 which has been illustrated with reference to the first embodiment.

The box cover 220 has sidewalls 222 and a covering section 224 in order to cover and close the upper opening of the box body 210. First transparent windows 226 are formed in the covering section 224 of the box cover 220, such that the substrate-receiving space of the box body 210 can be seen through the first transparent windows 226.

Since the first transparent windows 226 are formed in the covering section 224 of the box cover 220, it is possible to observe the state of the substrates which are received and arranged in the box body 210 when box cover 220 is placed over the box body 210. Accordingly, when the substrates received in the box for carrying substrates according to this embodiment of the invention become defective, such as when, for example, the substrates have been broken or become overlapped on each other due to any reason during the actual practice of being carried, it is possible to examine reasons or a mechanism for defects.

The first transparent windows 226 may be made of any transparent material through which the substrate-receiving space of the box body 210 can be seen. However, considering the hardness of the first transparent windows 226 and a manufacturing cost thereof, it is preferred that the first transparent windows 226 be made of an acrylic material and have a thickness of 1.5 mm.

FIG. 3 is a graph showing measurements of Vicker hardness depending on the material and thickness of the first transparent windows 226. As shown in FIG. 3, it can be appreciated that the first transparent windows 226 made of an acrylic material and having a thickness of 1.5 mm have a Vicker hardness of about 17.6, which is higher than that made of an A-PET or G-PET material. Accordingly, the first transparent windows 226 can minimize the occurrence of scratches, thereby maintaining high transparency.

The first transparent windows 226 can be formed in some portions of the covering section 224 of the box cover 220. In addition, the first transparent windows 226 can be a plurality of windows, in which case the first transparent windows 226 are preferably formed in the central portion and at both sides of the central portion of the covering section 224. Since the first transparent windows 226 are formed in this way, it is possible to economically and accurately perceive the overlap and damaged positions of the substrates received in the box for carrying substrates according to the invention.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, the box for carrying substrates according to the second embodiment of the invention can also include a support pad 228 which is coupled to the inner surface of the covering section 224. The support pad 228 has a plurality of support grooves into and by which the substrates received in the box body 210 are inserted and held.

In this way, since the substrates are inserted into and held by the support grooves of the support slots 228 coupled to the inner surface of the covering section 224, it is possible to carry the substrates by holding them more firmly.

Preferably, the cross-section of the support grooves formed in the support pad 228 has the shape of an upside-down “Y,” as shown in FIG. 5. Since the cross-section of the support grooves of the support pad 228 has the shape of an upside-down “Y,” the substrates can be easily inserted into the support grooves.

When the first transparent windows 226 are formed in some portions of the covering section 224 of the box cover 220, the support pad 228 is preferably coupled to the inner surface of the covering section 224 in which the first transparent windows 226 are not formed.

In addition, the box for carrying substrates according to the second embodiment of the invention can also include support slots 229 which are coupled to a pair of opposing inner surfaces of the sidewalls 222 of the box cover 220. Each of the support slots 229 has a plurality of support grooves which supports the substrates received in the box body 210. Since the substrates are inserted into and held by the support grooves of the support slots 229 which are configured as above, it is possible to carry the substrates by holding them more firmly.

As shown in FIG. 6, second transparent windows 227 can be formed in a pair of opposing sidewalls of the four sidewalls of the box cover 220, such that both edges of the received substrates can be seen through the second transparent windows 227.

When the both edges of the substrates are monitored through the second transparent windows 227, it is possible to more easily monitor reasons or a mechanism for the overlap or breakage of the edges of the substrates.

The second transparent windows 227 are made of an acrylic material, and preferably have a thickness of about 1.5 mm.

FIG. 7A shows a box cover according to the second embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 7B is a box cover of the related art. FIG. 8 is a graph comparing variations in the humidity with time of boxes for carrying substrates which include the box covers shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, and FIG. 9 is a graph comparing variations in the temperature with time of boxes for carrying substrates which include the box covers shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B. In addition, FIG. 10 is a graph showing measurements of static electricity according to positions (A, B, C, D and E) of the box covers shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B. Here, both of the box covers shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B are made of a polypropylene material, and the first transparent windows shown in FIG. 7A are made of an acrylic material.

As shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, it can be appreciated that the box for carrying substrates according to the second embodiment of the invention has temperature and humidity reliability at the same level as that of the box for carrying substrates of the related art which includes the box cover with no transparent windows. In addition, as shown in FIG. 10, it can be appreciated that the surface resistance of the box cover according to the second embodiment of the invention is at the same level as that of the box cover of the related art.

That is, it can be appreciated that, when the first transparent windows are formed in the box cover according to the invention, the temperature/humidity characteristic and the surface resistance characteristic of the box cover are the same as those of the box cover of the related art and there is no problem in the box for carrying substrates according to the invention.

In addition, it was confirmed that, since the first transparent windows are tightly formed in the covering section of the box cover, moisture is prevented from penetrating into the box for carrying substrates.

The foregoing descriptions of specific exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been presented with respect to the certain embodiments and drawings. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible for a person having ordinary skill in the art in light of the above teachings.

It is intended therefore that the scope of the invention not be limited to the foregoing embodiments, but be defined by the Claims appended hereto and their equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A box for carrying substrates, comprising: a box body having an upper opening, walls and a bottom, the walls and the bottom defining therein a substrate-receiving space; and a box cover having sidewalls and a covering section so as to cover and close the upper opening of the box body, wherein the entirety or a part of the box cover comprises a transparent material which allows the substrate-receiving space inside the box body to be seen.
 2. The box of claim 1, wherein a first transparent window is formed in the covering section of the box cover, the first transparent window comprising the transparent material which allows the substrate-receiving space inside the box body to be seen.
 3. The box of claim 2, wherein the first transparent window is formed in a local portion of the covering section of the box cover.
 4. The box of claim 3, wherein a plurality of the transparent windows are formed in the covering section of the box cover.
 5. The box of claim 4, wherein the plurality of the first transparent windows are formed in a central portion and at both sides of the central portion of the covering section of the box cover respectively.
 6. The box of claim 2, further comprising second transparent windows formed in a pair of opposing sidewalls of the four sidewalls of the box cover, such that both edges of the substrates are viewable through the second transparent windows.
 7. The box of claim 1, further comprising a support pad coupled to the inner surface of the covering section of the box cover, the support pad having a plurality of support grooves into and by which the substrates received in the box body are inserted and held.
 8. The box of claim 7, wherein the support grooves have an upside-down “Y” shaped cross-section.
 9. The box of claim 3, further comprising a support pad coupled to a local portion of the inner surface of the covering section of the box cover in which the first transparent window is not formed, the support pad having a plurality of support grooves into and by which the substrates received in the box body are inserted and held.
 10. The box of claim 9, wherein the support grooves have an upside-down “Y” shaped cross-section.
 11. The box of claim 1, further comprising support slots coupled to a pair of opposing inner surfaces of the sidewalls of the box cover, each of the support slots having a plurality of support grooves which supports the substrates received in the box body.
 12. The box of claim 1, wherein the box cover comprises an acrylic material, and has a thickness of 1.5 mm.
 13. The box of claim 2, wherein the first transparent window comprises an acrylic material, and has a thickness of 1.5 mm.
 14. The box of claim 6, wherein the second transparent windows comprises an acrylic material, and have a thickness of 1.5 mm.
 15. The box of claim 1, wherein the box body has a plurality of insertion grooves formed in a pair of opposing inner surfaces of the walls thereof, wherein the substrates received in the box body are inserted into and held by the insertion grooves. 